THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Authorities received a report that someone had been shot at the Mag Pi clothing store, which Carleton owned. A suspect in the shooting fled on foot before authorities located that person, who was killed in a subsequent confrontation.

"Through further investigation, detectives learned the suspect made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton," a police statement noted.

NPR noted that The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ organization took to social media to address the shooting, saying that Carleton was a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Local food co-op Mountain Provisions Cooperative stated on Instagram that Carleton and her husband had been important in helping organize a free store after a blizzard hit the area earlier this year.

In a statement Windy City Times received, GLAAD stated, "Our hearts are broken for Laura Ann (Lauri) Carleton, her community, and her loved ones. The tragic, targeted killing of Lauri over the Pride flag displayed at her Lake Arrowhead store was senseless and, unfortunately, part of a growing number of attacks on LGBTQ people and our allies. GLAAD and the ADL have tracked more than 350 anti-LGBTQ threats and attacks this year, coinciding with a disturbing increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation across the country."

—Andrew Davis